Investing in Gambian youth is a top priority for national development, driven by government and international initiatives aimed at boosting entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, and digital literacy.
The key sectors for investment include agriculture, aquaculture, and the creative industry.
Support programs such as the Youth Employment Project (YEP) and the $19.93 million African Development Fund project (2025) focus on financing, training, and providing mentorship to reduce high youth unemployment.
The government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and private sector partnerships such as the Builders Association, is creating a supportive business environment, offering grants to startups and established entrepreneurs in areas like cosmetology, tailoring, and agriculture.
A major focus is on transforming the agricultural sector through climate-smart practices and strengthening local value chains, including the construction of fish ponds.
Initiatives are launched to empower young people and women in tourism and creative sectors.
Organisations such as ActionAid International are setting up youth information management systems to train staff and improve data-driven decision-making, while also providing technical support.
With approximately 77% of youth excluded from formal financial services, new initiatives are launching dedicated credit lines and business development support, especially for rural youth and women.
The government is focusing on a "demographic dividend" by investing in education, health, and youth employment, and actively appointing young professionals to key public positions.
The overall goal is to leverage the young population (over 60% are under 25) to drive economic growth and reduce dependence on emigration by fostering local opportunities.
Investment in Gambian youth as of February 2026 is primarily driven by government initiatives, international donor projects, and private sector advocacy focused on entrepreneurship and human capital development.
While approximately 70% of the population is under the age of 30, this demographic faces a 70% share of total unemployment, making youth-centric investment a critical national priority.
The Gambia government has integrated youth investment into its long-term strategic frameworks, focusing on "Demographic Dividend" and economic transformation.
The budget, themed "Improving the Well-Being and Quality of Life of Gambians", prioritizes human capital through strategic investments in education and health.
However, the specific D146.5 million allocation for the Ministry of Youth and Sports has faced public scrutiny for being a small percentage of total expenditure.
President Adama Barrow recently met with The Builders Association, a group of young entrepreneurs, to discuss using PPPs to boost capital, land, and market access for youth-led enterprises.
Launched in January 2026 in partnership with ActionAid, this system tracks youth economic and social contributions to drive evidence-based budgeting and planning.
Several established programs provide direct financial support to young Gambian entrepreneurs as of early 2026:
YEP Mini-Grant Scheme: Managed by the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), the YEP Mini-Grant Scheme provides grants of up to D50,000 for grassroots entrepreneurs to acquire equipment and materials with no interest or collateral requirements.
WIDU Africa Grant: Launched in The Gambia in 2026, this program optimises diaspora remittances. Entrepreneurs can receive grants between EUR 3,000 and EUR 5,000 if sponsored by friends or family in Europe.
ITC-SDF Mini-Loans: This is a microfinance scheme developed by the International Trade Centre and the Social Development Fund to help youth-led businesses acquire machinery or expand premises.
Andandorr Investment Readiness: This is a joint initiative with the Gambia Angel Investors Network (GAIN) to equip high-growth youth startups with the skills needed to attract private investment.
Young investors and entrepreneurs are encouraged to focus on the following high-potential sectors identified by the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GiEPA).
The sectors include poultry, irrigation, value-added processing, ICT services and tech-driven innovation. There are also sustainable tourism, fashion, textiles, filmmaking, renewable energy and sustainable construction initiatives.
